Treating cellulite and stretch marks involves two quite different approaches. There isn't just one method you can use to rid your body of these so-called imperfections. With cellulite, treatment typically involves personal care or cosmetic procedures to bring about results. Removal of stretch marks often requires time, medicated products or different cosmetic procedures to improve the appearance of your skin.
Cellulite
Step 1
Lose any additional weight you may be carrying through a combination of diet and exercise. According to the Mayo Clinic, you can expect an improvement in your cellulite by dropping those excess pounds. You also need to strengthen and tone the muscles of the thighs and buttocks to lessen the appearance of cellulite.
Step 2
Talk to a cosmetic surgeon about "lipomassage." In this procedure, the cellulite is essentially kneaded away with a hand-held contraption containing a series of rollers that are applied to the skin. However, this isn't a permanent solution for cellulite. After the initial improvement in appearance, the cellulite will eventually come back.
Step 3
Consider cellulite laser therapy. With this method, the problematic areas are kneaded much like in lipomassage. But it's also combined with radiofrequency, infrared light or laser energy. This method is a bit more costly, since you'll need a series of sessions to get results. You can expect cellulite to return in upwards of six months.
Step 4
Avoid spending your money on creams, wraps and other herbal treatments. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are no studies that prove these methods are at all effective in improving the appearance of cellulite. Your money is better spent on diet, gym fees, lipomassage or a form of laser therapy for cellulite.
Stretch Marks
Step 1
Wait to see if the stretch marks fade. If your stretch marks are relatively new, such as with those you may experience during pregnancy, they may simply fade away. Give your skin some time before turning to other methods of stretch mark removal.
Step 2
Talk to your doctor about tretinoin. This medicated cream can be applied directly onto the stretch marks to rebuild collagen. As collagen forms, you can expect to see a decrease in the signs of the stretch marks.
Step 3
Consider using laser therapy to improve the appearance of stretch marks. In this procedure, impulses of energy penetrate the skin to help rebuild collagen under the stretch marks, thereby diminishing the redness or streaking of these blemishes. You should only turn to this method of stretch mark removal after time or tretinoin haven't been effective.
Step 4
Try microdermabrasion. Most dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons offer this procedure, where a diamond-edged utensil removes the uppermost layer of your skin. Once this layer is removed, new skin grows in its place, decreasing the sign of the stretch mark.
Step 5
Steer clear of miracle creams. Much like with cellulite, most over-the-counter products that claim to reduce the appearance of stretch marks won't do much more than cost you money.
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